My thoughts on the Jobs Bill

I am all for a plan or a way to get folks back to work. I recently discovered, through a CBS report on our small town of Robbins, NC, that we are at 36% unemployment. Also, according to the 2000 census, our population is about 1200 people. (This means that 432 people are unemployed). With these figures in mind, here’s how I see things.

The president is calling for a jobs bill to get America back to work.

• I can support that.

The president’s plan will lower the unemployment rate across America.

• I can support that.

The jobs bill seems to focus its attention on 1^st responders (police, fire, etc), teachers, and road construction jobs.

• Ok, that’s a good start, but what about the rest of my town’s unemployed?


• Most of those who are unemployed here are unemployed due to mills, factories, and chicken houses closing up. These are the types of jobs we need.


• Besides, do you really think we could employ 50-100 new 1^st responders, 50-100 new teachers, and 200 road construction workers?

The jobs bill cuts taxes.

• I can support tax cuts for the middle class, as they seem to be some of the ones hurting in this economy.


• I don’t know about the tax break for companies who employ veterans who’ve been unemployed for over 6 months.


• While I support our military and veterans, I don’t believe companies should favor them over others if the others are more qualified for a position.


• Doesn’t that lend itself to a sort of discrimination, or reverse discrimination?

That’s my 2 cents.

Halloween, ghosts, and demons??

Since Halloween was Monday, I had posted on facebook the story about the Sceva House that was made up by the Skit Guys (Christian Comedians) as a way of starting the dialogue this time of year about the role of the supernatural and how Christians should handle the topic.

This caused one person to respond with questions about Christians:

• Do Christians believe in the supernatural?


• Doesn’t the supernatural contradict most of the heaven and hell beliefs?


• She also stated that none of the Christians [she has] known have believed in ghosts and such, because they did not like the idea of having your soul 'trapped' on earth.

Well, since I believe that Christians shouldn’t be afraid to address these types of questions, let’s get to them.

Let me start out by saying that some of the Christian views about these topics may go completely against the non-Christian’s views. Please hear me out and afterwards I will try to explain how I believe the differences came about.

Do Christians believe in the supernatural?
Why shouldn’t we? Webster’s gives a couple definitions for supernatural:

1. “of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil”
   Christians believe in God, angels, demons (those angels who rejected God), and the Devil. So, yes, we believe that definition.


2. “departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature”
   Christians who take the Bible literally know that God has done things outside of the laws of nature: He split the Red Sea; He made water gush from a rock; He caused the Plagues; He raised the dead; He caused a virgin to become pregnant, etc. So, yes, we believe that definition.

Doesn’t the supernatural contradict most of the heaven and hell beliefs?
      No. We believe that God has created hell as the final resting place of Satan, Satan’s angels (which are called demons), and those who reject God. So, it seems that hell exists for supernatural beings.

Now for the statement: She also stated that none of the Christians [she has] known have believed in ghosts and such, because they did not like the idea of having your soul 'trapped' on earth.
      Well, here’s where we will have differing views.

First, let me share what happened in 1 Samuel 28. In this chapter, King Saul seeks out a medium to bring Samuel’s spirit up so he can ask him a question. Well, the witch did bring up his spirit. There are varying views on what happened. Either Samuel’s spirit appeared or it was an angel (or demon) representing Samuel. Either way, there is a medium that got in touch with something supernatural (Samuel’s spirit or an angel/demon).

Second, let’s remember that angels (and demons) were created by God before the world began, so they’ve been around forever, basically. The Bible also tells us that there are some in Heaven and some on Earth. We find them appearing as men and interacting with several people in the Old Testament. We even find some interacting with man in the New Testament as well. Even Jesus exercised demons out of people.

Also, I do not believe the Bible teaches that our souls are trapped here. I believe the Bible teaches that if we are saved, after we die we’ll be in God’s presence. Those who are not saved will be in a hell (which is basically a waiting cell for final judgment and final sentencing to the Lake of Fire).

Also, where did man get the notion that “ghosts” are people’s souls that are trapped here on earth? I hear that a lot. I believe that if you deny the God of the Bible and the Biblical view of Heaven and Hell, then you are left with the following logical reasoning: Someone sees a “ghost.” Since you don’t believe in angels and it looks human, the only logical conclusion would be that it is a person’s soul.

 

In summary: God created angels (and demons). The supernatural is comprised of God and the angels. “Ghosts” that people see are either angels or demons.

Let’s use this truth to share with others that those angels who rejected God won’t have a second chance to be with Him. They’ve sealed their fate. However, we humans have unlimited chances this side of the grave to accept God. But since it’ll be too late when we die, and we don’t know when that will be, we should accept God today.